A D-DAY veteran who become a legend in the world of amateur dramatics has died aged 85.

Anton “Tony” Copley was one of the founding members of the Walthamstow-based Starlighters company, which has been putting on acclaimed productions in the borough for more than 30 years.

Mr Copley, who passed away after a two-year battle with throat cancer, was known for his versatile skills in acting, songwriting, scriptwriting and set design.

He was so devoted to the world of theatre that it seemed to never leave his thoughts – even when he was serving as a signaller for the RAF during the Second World War.

Lifelong friend and Starlighters co-founder Don Munro, 81, said: “During the D-Day landings he was running up the beach with bullets whizzing over his head when he noticed something glittering on the floor.

“He thought it would be good to use in a future show, so he stopped to pick it up. His sergeant was absolute furious.”

Mr Copley was born and raised in Bow, east London, and worked briefly for jeans brand Lee Cooper. However, he was forced to stop working in the late 1940s after suffering a heart attack.

But his theatre career blossomed, as he went on to write and star in dozens of plays and musicals, even winning awards for some of his compositions.

“He should have got much more recognition but he was a very modest man,” said Mr Munro.

“We were like Gilbert and Sullivan when we were working but as friends we were devoted. We adored each other. He was very kind and very clever and very caring. We are all missing him terribly.”

Sandra Jerome, a Starlighters member who sang Mr Copley’s much loved song The Magic's Gone at his funeral, said: “Everyone that was close to him adored him. He was so talented and very funny. He used to love playing jokes on people.”

Members of Starlighters made sure Mr Copley had a fitting send-off. They secured a private room at Whipps Cross Hospital and serenaded him with a cabaret show on the night before he died.

A show in Mr Copley’s memory featuring some of his classic sketches and songs entitled The Best Of Times will be staged by Starlighters on Saturday October 23 and Sunday October 24 at Foster Hall in Wellesley Road, Walthamstow.

Tickets are £7 for adults and £5 for concessions. Call the box office on 020 8923 2475 for more information.

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